While the reviews of Michael Phelps' SNL performance were decidedly unfavorable — reactions included "a fish out of water," "unmemorable," "awful," "OK," "tremendously awful," and "uncomfortable" — don't blame the writers. Broadcasting & Cable's Alex Weprin reports that cast member Jason Sudeikis told the crowd at the New York Television Festival Sunday some of the sketches that got cut — and they sound like comedy gold:
Among the topics of conversation were some of the sketches that were left on the cutting room floor from last night's season premiere of SNL, with host Michael Phelps. Sudeikis says he (half jokingly) pitched a fake commercial for a urine based cure for athletes foot, endorsed by Phelps. It didn't go over well, and never made it past the pitch.
One sketch that sounded like comedy gold to me was "Puttin on the Spitz!" a talk show hosted by Mark Spitz, with the musical stylings of Elliot Spitzer. Sudeikis says Phelps nixed it out of respect for Spitz.
One other sketch that didn't make it, but might in the future, Weprin reports, was about layoffs at the Justice League of America. Phelps, who was slated to play Aquaman, may be replaced by someone else later in the season.
Below, watch Phelps in what was probably his best performance, the "Michael Phelps Diet" sketch: